Published byStanford Medicine

Previous research has suggested that making healthy lifestyle changes may improve our health and potentially prevent cancer, stave off Alzheimer’s, lower blood pressure and improve mental health. But, as many of us can attest, adopting healthier habits can be a challenge.

To be more successful at making behavior changes, says New York Times reporter Charles Duhigg, you need to understand the science and psychology of how habits work. In this video, Duhigg discusses why habits can be so powerful and what it takes to make behavioral changes. Duhigg draws on a example from his own life, his afternoon cookie cravings, and in the process makes the task of breaking bad habits less daunting.